The Perfect Church-Opinion Poll

I'm taking a poll - and since some of the most honest people I know of (or so I think ) seem to congregate here at the lpsg water cooler and urinal, (whatever), I'll start here, and direct my question to the guys: Let's say you were looking for a church that met your needs for the place you're at right now, what would it be like? What keeps you from finding one (besides the presence of the ubiquitous and fabled "hypocrite")? I'm truly curious, as matters of faith have crept into more than one instant messaging conversation I have had at this site. I'm not publishing this, just wondering where some of my fellow lpsg members might be in relation to this issue. Thanks again for your honesty:smile:

Gold Member

I go to church. So I might not be the best to answer the question but here is my short list of what the perfect church should have;

1. Priesthood of the believer. These is a fancy term that means that each person is his own priest and can access God without anyone intervening for him. It also means that the individual and God work out what is best for the individual. It is about each person has their own relationship to God. It is not my place to question someone else's relationship to God. Each person works out his life with God. The church doesn't decide for the member what is best for that member.

2. True love. Each member should be supporting each other regardless of what shortcomings each member has. The members should really love one another as God loves us.

3. Hypocrites aren't allowed to take over. Hypocrites are in every church. We all can be hypocritical at times. The key is not to let hyporcrites or hypocritical thinking take over the church.

4. Open Communion and Open Baptism in a Christian church. It is God's table not ours. The church only provides for the table. It is not the church's place to decide who is worthy to take communion and who isn't. Same with Baptism. If a person has been baptized and is happy with it, the church shouldn't require a second baptism just because it wasn't first done "in their church."

5. A liberal attitude. By this I mean the members are acutely aware that their beliefs and opinions on religion are open to debate and every position just might be right and it might be WRONG. We do will with the right part. People don't handle the part where they might be WRONG very well.

6. Mission minded. Taking care of the poor, the bereaved, those in need. Those that the rest of society has condemned are welcome in this perfect church.

7. Church recognizes that it is a faith journey for all of us. We will all get there if we keep traveling, but the road does get difficult and some are further down the road then others.

8. A belief that God is still in charge and in the end, peace and harmony will prevail. Those who didn't get a fair shake here on earth will get one in the next life. That God is still creating and the time will come when there is nothing but good and mercy. Evil and suffering will someday come to an end. It might be in heaven instead of here on earth for some, But that day will come.

9. This should have been first. My perfect church recognizes that God loves us more than we can possibly love ourselves.

10. All people are imperfect and ALL PEOPLE can be brought into a perfect relationship with God. It is a choice. God will not force anyone to do anything.

11. The writers in the Old Testament use the punishments in their writing poetically. There are consequences for our mistakes. That doesn't mean that God ordains that we suffer. It is a case where if I drive 100 miles around a curve while drunk that has a 15 mph warning, I will crash and probably die. This is a consequence of my own mistake, not a punishment from God.

I wrote this as I thought them. There not perfect and if I had a week or two to really hash them out I could do a better job.

The bottom line is: Does your perfect church have a God that is redeeming his people and bringing them to a better life or world or does your church have a God that is punishing his people because they are so horrible.

I can go to a less than perfect church. But I just can't stomach the churches that are preaching about the wrath of God and how he is out to get us all. If that church is the only one available, I will stay at home.

Gold Member

The others posters pretty much said what I would. Especially about the preaching of hate rather than love. These hardcore fundamentalists who say if you do this or that you are going straight to hell. That's not exactly preaching love is it?

You folks have nailed it - the responses are good and I'm glad you've taken the time to speak up on this vital issue - now, if I might notch this conversation up just a tad. . .what can churches do to zero in on the guys to get them in the door? Sounds a little like I'm looking for a dissertation on salesmanship (I'm not), but we need to offer something.

You folks are great - as I've said before, some of the most honest and open people are here - and I appreciate all of them - so, back to the question, what's in it for the guys, who would rather be doing anything but going to church?

Gold Member

I would say it mostly goes back to the showing love toward everyone thing.
Making all people feel welcome regardless of race, economic status, particular religeous beliefs, sexuality, ect. Also, make things not so boring.
As one poster said, good music is a must. A preacher that is positive and doesn't just harp on the sinful things people are doing, or that the end time is right around the corner. Some activities that are fun and the congregation can participate in together. Most of all that members be supportive of one another...we all make mistakes and need loving help and guidance.

Gold Member

I was at an Al-Anon meeting the other night, and the subject of a Higher Power came up, as you might expect.

All 12 step programmes are spiritual, in some fashion. Which makes it kinda hard for atheists (like me) to participate--hence, the prgramme defines a "Higher Power" broadly. So broadly, that the exact phrase in the literature is "a higher power some of us choose to call God."

A fellow member used the phrase, and gave it a spin. He referred to "a higher power I choose to call love".

I think that whether or not it espoused belief in a capital-G God, I could be a happy congregant in any church which chooses, in a practical sense, to recognise love as its higher power.

Love of family, love for the planet, love for one's fellow man or woman, love of grace and beauty, and the love that unites two spirits in an intimate bond. That's truly what makes human beings moral and good. You can't be bad if, every time you face a moral question, you ask yourself, "does my answer serve love?"

Good Question!! I've Visited almost all of the churches in my community, (And there are a lot) and I know that there is no perfect church. I would be content if the Body of Believers, follow the Holy Spirit, try thier best to keep God's Commandments, respect one another in faith and love, encourage one another, give the gospil of Christ to all men and women in a respectful way, try thier best to live thier lives the same way (God's Way) in and out of the church building, If i'm sinning- they will let me know lovingly, allow me to use my gifts and talants (Spiritual and phisical) to help them in thier faith and reaching out to others, and is not ashamed of the bible and what it teaches. Most importantly, they believe Jesus Christ as God's own son and is alive today.There are hypocrites in the Body of Believers I belong to. Yet I know the nonhypocrites are real. In words, actions, and deeds. That is why I do not leave the body.